2003 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 816 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 239 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 112 people were injured and 5 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, side/windowJul 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAGS (CSA), ONE OR BOTH OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY BE TWISTED NEAR THE INFLATOR DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY.
IF THIS OCCURS, THE CSA MAY NOT DEPLOY RAPIDLY ENOUGH WHEN ACTIVATED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THIS MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INTENDED HEAD PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CSAS AND REPLACE THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 04V346000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
169 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Mar 1, 2015, fire
CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN TO GET GAS 1/2 MILE DOWN ROAD. WHEN RETURNED FROM GAS STATION WE PULLED ONTO PROPERTY , TURNED OFF CAR AND THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. TOTAL LOSS FOR CAR. *TR
Engine, Feb 27, 2015
MY WIFE HAD TAKEN HER 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE IN JANUARY, 2012 AND TOLD THE DEALER THAT SHE HAD BEEN HEARING UNUSUAL NOISES FROM THE ENGINE FOR SOME TIME. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A BULLETIN TO THE DEALERS REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DATED APRIL 15, 2008. IT IS CURIOUS THAT THE BULLETIN STATED THAT "THIS REPAIR IS COVERED UNDER THE TOYOTA FEDERAL EMISSION WARRANTY. THIS IS IN EFFECT FOR 36 MONTHS OR 36,000 MILE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST-". THE BULLETIN IS DATED APRIL 15, 2008 AND IS TO COVER VEHICLES OF THE 2002-2004 MODEL YEAR CAMRY. THIS MAKES NO SENSE AS SUPPOSEDLY COVERING VEHICLES BUILT 2002-2004 AND ISSUE A BULLETIN IN 2008 AND THEN SAY THERE IS A 36 MONTH WARRANTY FROM THE DATE THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN SERVICE. WE WERE NEVER ADVISED OF THIS BULLETIN UNTIL 2012 AND REPAIRS WERE DONE AT THE COST OF $ 765.52 ON MARCH 27, 2012. WE SENT A LETTER OF COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA IN TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA ON FEBRUARY 28, 2014 WITH NO RESPONSE. *TR
Engine, Feb 3, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE BOLT CONNECTED TO THE INTAKE VALVES TO THE ENGINE HAD BECOME LOOSE AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO RUN ON TO THE EXHAUST. AS A RESULT, EXHAUST FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Engine, Jan 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,259.
Engine, Oct 29, 2014
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS OVERHEATING!!! WENT TO REPLACE THE GASKET AND THE HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND HAD TO HAVE TO HAVE A HEAD BOLT REPAIR KIT PUT IN ALONG WITH THE GASKET KIT WHICH WITH LABOR COST ME OVER 4,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS! THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE ALUMINUM BLOCK THAT OVER HEATED BECAUSE OF THE COOLANT LEAK WHICH IN THAT OVERHEATED THE BLOCK/BOLTS AND CAUSED THEM TO STRIP THE THREAD FROM THE BLOCK BOLT, IN THAT HAD TO GET A REPAIR KIT DRILL THE HOLE OUT INSERT A STEAL COIL TO HOLD THE STEAL BOLT IN THE ALUMINUM BLOCK!!! POINT BEING I HAD TO PAY FOR THIS FACTORY ERROR OF AN ALUMINUM HEAD THAT EITHER SHOULD HAVE HAD STEAL INSERTS OR A STEAL BLOCK TO BEGIN WITH FOR ABOUT 4,000 WHICH IS CLOSE TO WHAT THE CAR WOULD COST IF I BOUGHT IT AT THIS TIME WITH THE MILES CURRENTLY ON IT!!! A WASTE OF MY MONEY WHEN THIS COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN PREVENTED FROM TOYOTA IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!! I HONESTLY CAN SAY THAT THIS IS MY 3RD CAMRY I HAVE OWNED AND I HAVE ALWAYS SWORE BY THE TOYOTA CAMRY BUT AFTER MY RESEARCH AND MY MONEY AND MY HEADACHE I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN HOW THERE NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE ON THIS ONE AND US AS TOYOTA OWNERS LOVE AND VALUE THE TOYOTA NAME COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT ITS VERY UPSETTING I'VE DROVE THE CAMRY SINCE 2004 AND BEEN SO PROUD OF THE NAME AND PASSED ALONG THE GOOD QUALITY OF THE CAMRY NAME ON AND ON THEN I COME ACROSS THIS ISSUE AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS AND TOYOTA WON'T STEP UP TO THE PLATE ON IT REALLY TARNISHES THE NAME FOR ME!!!! *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Oct 21, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE FIRST FEW TIMES THIS HAPPENED, I WAS ABLE TO SIMPLY RE-START THE CAR WITH EVERYTHING WORKING AGAIN. I THEN BROUGHT THE CAR TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS WHO COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR (OR ANYTHING ELSE). THE PROBLEM WAS ERRATIC SO IT NEVER OCCURRED WITH THE MECHANICS. NOW THE PROBLEM OCCURS OCCASIONALLY WHEN I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OR BRIGHTS OF THE CAR ON. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED (10/11/14) WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH. THE ENGINE SHUT OUT, THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OFF (AS WELL AS ALL THE OTHER ELECTRICAL THINGS: GPS, AC, RADIO, ETC). EVEN THE FLASHERS WOULD NOT TURN ON. THEN, IN A MATTER OF MOMENTS, EVERYTHING TURNED ON AGAIN. THE CAR'S ENGINE DID NOT EVEN NEED TO BE RESTARTED. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP DRIVING WITHOUT INCIDENT FOR 20+ MILES. THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF ABOUT 3-4 TIMES IN THE PAST, HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT TRIGGERED IN THE PAST BY TURNING THE LIGHTS ON. THERE WAS NO APPARENT TRIGGER AT ALL. THE PROBLEM IS ERRATIC AND DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. *TR
Engine, Sep 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS DUE TO A FAULTY HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Engine, Aug 26, 2014
MY FAMILY AND I WERE OUT OF STATE ON A TRIP FOR A FUNERAL IN FEBRUARY. IT WAS VERY COLD WHERE WE WERE, SO I STARTED OUR CAMRY TO WARM UP THE CAR. HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF WARMING UP, IT ACTUALLY STARTED TO OVERHEAT DUE TO LOW COOLANT. SUSPECTING A CRACKED HOSE OR A RADIATOR ISSUE, I SEARCHED FOR THE LEAK, BUT COULD NOT FIND ONE. WE KEPT THE CAR FILLED WITH FLUID, WATCHED THE TEMP GAUGE LIKE A HAWK, AND LIMPED THE CAR HOME TO OUR MECHANIC. THANKFULLY, IT DIDN'T EVEN COME CLOSE TO OVERHEATING AGAIN THE ENTIRE TRIP HOME. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THREE BOLTS NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD WERE NOT ONLY LOOSE, BUT ACTUALLY STRIPPED. THIS SOUNDED ODD TO ME. I HAVE AN 89 TOYOTA PICKUP THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW, AND IT IS STILL RUNNING LIKE A CHAMP 25 YEARS AND 250,000+ MILES LATER. I EXPECTED THE SAME KIND OF SERVICE LIFE FROM OUR WELL MAINTAINED CAMRY WITH LESS THAN 150,000. STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS JUST SOUNDED OFF TO ME FOR A TOYOTA, SO I DID AN ONLINE SEARCH. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN I FOUND WEB PAGE AND FORUM AFTER WEB PAGE AND FORUM DEDICATED TO THIS ISSUE ALONE. ONE SITE - CARCOMPLAINTS.COM - HAS 36 COMPLAINTS FILED ALREADY FOR JUST THE 2002 AND 2003 MODEL YEARS, AND THIS PROBLEM EXTEND TO ENGINES UP TO THE 2007 MODEL YEAR. ANOTHER WEB SITE - CAMRYFORUMS.COM - HAS 6 PAGES OF FORUMS DEDICATED TO THIS ISSUE. SIX PAGES. ALL OF THEM WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE - COOLANT LEAKS FROM THE STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS NEXT TO THE INSULATION. AND THERE ARE MORE SITES AND MORE FORUMS THAN JUST THOSE. CONSIDERING THAT ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FILE THESE KINDS OF COMPLAINTS OR POST ON AN ONLINE FORUM, THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 21, 2014
AS WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, LIT UP AND THE CAR STARTED MAKING ODD NOISES WHEN THE ACCELERATION PEDAL WAS PRESSED, WE QUICKLY PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. WHEN WE OPENED THE FRONT THE ENGINE AND COOLANT WERE SMOKING. THERE WAS NO INDICATION BEFORE THIS THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG, APPARENTLY THE OIL HAD BEEN LEAKING AND THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR GAVE NO INDICATION OF THIS. *TR
Engine, Aug 21, 2014
MY CAR WAS LEAKING OIL AND WHEN I HAD IT DIAGNOSED, THERE WAS NO MORE THREAD ON THE SCREWS TO HOLD THE MOTOR ON CORRECTLY, AFTER A MONTH OF THE RETHREADING, MY HEAD GASKET/MOTOR BOTH STOPPED WORKING. *TR
Engine, May 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Engine, May 9, 2014, crash
I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, STOPPED, AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PULLING UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CAR BOLTED GOING OVER THE PARKING CURB AND CONTINUING ON INTO A BUILDING, ALL WITH NO MOMENTUM AS THE CAR WAS STOPPED. ONE WITNESS SAID IT WAS A VERY LOUD REVVING SOUND. TWO OTHERS SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A TRUCK. THE PERSON WHO WAS BEHIND ME SAID MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 28, 2014
ACCORDING TO TOYOTA'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN T-SB-0034-08 (APRIL 15, 2008), THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IN 2002 ? 2004 CAMRY EQUIPPED WITH 2AZ ENGINE MAY PRODUCE A LOUD RATTLE NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AREA, MOST NOTICEABLE AT IDLE OR ON LIGHT ACCELERATION. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS BEEN UPDATED / MODIFIED TO SOLVE THIS ISSUES ON THE NEWER VEHICLES. A FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD WILL AFFECT ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND AFFECT EMISSIONS. TOYOTA USA SHOULD RECALL ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH THIS FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD, BUT THEY ONLY COVER THE REPAIR TO THE VEHICLES WHICH ARE UNDER WARRANTY. THIS FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SERIOUS ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jan 27, 2014
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE SEEMED HARD TO START. IT FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS MISFIRING. THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED WORKING, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STARTED SMOKING PROFUSELY. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME, SHE DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR. SHE FILLED THE RADIATOR WITH COOLANT AND MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO HER LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FOUND A BAD AIR CONDITION FAN, NO FREON IN THE SYSTEM, AND THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. THE CONSUMER PAID $1200.00 TO FIX THE ISSUES. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES, THE AC STOPPED WORKING, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE, AGAIN. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWO YEARS PRIOR, BUT DESPITE HAVING 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS INSPECT THE VEHICLE, THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, INDICATED NO PROBLEM. IT WAS RE-SET 3 TIMES, BUT EVENTUALLY CAME BACK ON EVERY TIME. *JB
Engine, Jan 13, 2014
THIS IS TO REPORT A FAILURE ON ENGINE MODEL #2AZ-FE (EFFECTS 2002-2007 CAMRYS, HIGHLANDERS AND RAV4) DUE TO STRIPPED CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THERE IS AT LEAST ONE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY TOYOTA TSB2740 THAT RELATES TO THIS RECOGNIZED PROBLEM OF STEEL CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS STRIPPING OUT OF THE ALUMINUM ENGINE, ESPECIALLY ON THE FIREWALL OR BACKSIDE OF THE ENGINE POSSIBLY DUE TO A FOAM INSULATION PIECE TO PROTECT A PLASTIC MANIFOLD PART FROM HEAT. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE FOAM PIECE ALLOWS A HEAT BUILD UP ON THE ENGINE SIDE. THE COSTS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WAS $2,131. AND INCLUDES MACHINING THE WARPED HEAD, NEW HEAD GASKET AND BOLTS AND A LONG THREAD INSERT SET. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED TO LEARN THAT TOYOTA KNEW YEARS AGO OF THIS DESIGN PROBLEM AND ISSUED A TSB; BUT DID NOT RECALL FOR A SOLUTION BEFORE THIS LED TO METAL FAILURE AND ENGINE OVERHEATING. MANY OF THESE ENGINES WILL FAIL AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD OF 60K HAS EXPIRED. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO REMEDIES WITH TOYOTA CORP FOR THIS FAILURE, I WOULD APPRECIATE KNOWING ABOUT IT. I AM GLAD TO REPORT THIS AS I SEE THAT MANY, MANY ENGINE FAILURES HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS BASICALLY UNADDRESSED DESIGN PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR
Engine, Nov 7, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CYLINDER HEADS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.
Engine, Sep 5, 2013
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. AT 65,000 MILES I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE ON MORNING STARTUP. RESEARCH LED ME TO THE ENGINE HEAD NOT BEING SECURED BECAUSE OF THE STRIPPED BOLT PROBLEM. I STARTED USING A DIP STICK TO MEASURE THE AMOUNT OF COOLANT IN MY OVERFLOW BOTTLE BEFORE MORNING STARTUP. I PHYSICALLY MARK THE DIP STICK. THE COOLANT LOSS IS MINIMAL SO FAR. I NOW HAVE 85,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE QUESTION IS: DO I DARE TAKE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY? APPARENTLY THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO BE MADE FOR A LAW OFFICE TO START A CLASS ACTION SUIT. *JB
Engine, Jul 29, 2013
AFTER TEN YEARS, MY 2003 CAMRY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, MY HUSBAND WAS ON ROUTE 20 WITH THE OIL SHOT OUT, STARTED SMOKING HE HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP, THE 511 EMERGENCY SAW THE SMOKE FROM FAR AWAY WHICH MADE THEM FOLLOW THE SMOKE. MY HUSBAND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. ALL OF THE OIL AND ANTIFREEZE EMPTIED OUT IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. TWO TOWS AT $189 A PIECE AND A DIAGNOSTIC FROM THE AUTO REPAIR AT $112. *TR
Engine, Jun 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 59,000. *TR
Engine, May 5, 2013
2002-2006 TOYOTA CAMRY & OTHER MODELS WITH 4 CYLINDER ENGINES ( 2AZ) ENGINES BLOWN HEAD GASKET / STRIPPED HEAD BOLT PROBLEM. *TR
Engine, Apr 23, 2013
VIBRATIONS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD - VEHICLE BECAME SLUGGISH AND NOISY DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD ISSUE -IT IS BROKEN AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 25, 2013, crash
I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A SIGNALED LEFT TURN INTO A PAKING SPACE AT CVS PHARMACY. AS I BRAKED AND TURNED, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD HITTING A STACKED STONE PILLAR AND CAME TO A CRASHED STOP. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HAD A SCRAPE ON MY SCALP FROM THE SUN VISOR. *TR
Engine, Mar 11, 2013
WE FOUND COOLANT ON OUR GARAGE FLOOR. WE TOOK THE CAMRY TO OUR TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND COOLANT WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE BOLTS. WE WERE TOLD THAT A USED ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AND THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE COST. APPARENTLY, TOYOTA HAD ISSUED SERVICE BULLETINS TO THEIR DEALERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM SOME YEARS BEFORE, BUT WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA'S 1-800-331-4331 NUMBER I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY EXTENSIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM. BASED ON WHAT I FOUND ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 CAMRY. *TR
Engine, Mar 7, 2013, fire
IN NOVEMBER 2012, I WAS TOLD BY MY THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN MY WATER PUMP IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. I GOT A SECOND OPINION AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY WATER PUMP HAD A SLOW LEAK AND THAT I SHOULD GET IT REPAIRED. IN DECEMBER 2012, MY CAR RAN HOT AND WAS SMOKING REALLY BAD. DEALER STATED THAT MY I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I ASKED WHAT WAS THE ISSUE AND THEY STATED THAT MY HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. I ASKED THE DEALER COULD THEY REPAIR THE HEAD GASKETS AND THE ANSWER WAS I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. GOT A SECOND OPINION WHO THEN TOLD ME THAT I HAD STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS AND CAR COULD BE REPAIRED. HAD CAR REPAIRED AND THE CAR IS RUNNING FINE 173,000. I STARTED DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND LITERALLY I FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. I PROCEEDED TO CALL TOYOTA (TWICE) AND THE SECOND CALL DID ADMIT THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED IN NOV 2011 ALERTING THE DEALERS HOW TO REPAIR THE STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS. I COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND THE FACT THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2.4 ENGINE FOR THE 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. TOYOTA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THIS YEARS CAMRY. AND WHAT IS FURTHER MORE DISHEARTENING IS THAT THE REPRESENTATIVE AT TOYOTA SAID THAT I SHOULD EXPECT TO MAKE REPAIRS ON MY CAR WITH THE TYPE OF MILEAGE I HAVE. AND I DO AGREE BUT I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET MORE WITHOUT THE DEFECT. IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN GET TOYOTA TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT BY FILING THIS CLAIM AND IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER CLAIMS ON THIS WEBSITE. *TR
Engine, Jan 4, 2013
IT WAS AN UNUSUALLY COLD DAY FOR OCTOBER AND I WAS DRIVING MY SON TO SCHOOL WITH MY THREE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN HER CAR SEAT WHEN THE HEAT WOULD NOT WORK. ONLY COLD AIR CAME OUT OF THE VENTS. THE WINDOWS WERE FOGGED UP AND WOULD NOT DEFROST. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAGE WAS IN THE RED ZONE. IT KEPT CLIMBING UP AND DOWN. I COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD AT ALL AND HAD TO PULL OVER FOR SAFETY REASONS. THANK GOD I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AS USUAL, BUT ON A LOCAL ROAD. I STOPPED AND I WIPED OFF THE WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS MANUALLY. THIS WAS A TERRIFYING ORDEAL. THE NEXT MORNING I TOOK THE CAMRY TO THE COOPER TIRE GARAGE HERE IN FINDLAY. AFTER INSPECTION I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET PULLED OUT OF THE BLOCK AND THAT IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS AN ALUMINUM BLOCK. THEY ARE NOT MADE OUT OF STEEL ANYMORE. PREVIOUS TO THIS INCIDENT, I EXPERIENCED ABSOLUTELY NO SYMPTOMS THAT MY TOYOTA'S ENGINE WAS GOING TO MALFUNCTION. MY CAMRY'S ENGINE IS SHOT. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD HELP ME WITH. I WAS ACTUALLY CRYING WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE. I HAVE BEEN A PROUD OWNER OF TWO CAMRYS. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES A 1995 CAMRY THAT IS STILL RUNNING VERY WELL AND MY MOTHER IS DRIVING A 1999 CAMRY THAT SHE HAS HAD NO ENGINE ISSUES WITH. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A NEWER MODEL DEFECT. MY CAMRY HAS BEEN PAID OFF SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2011. I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING ANOTHER 100,000 MILES OF USE OUT OF IT. THE REPUTATION THAT TOYOTA CAMRY'S HAVE STATES THAT IF I REGULARLY MAINTAIN MY CAMRY I SHOULD HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY. I NOW HAVE THE URGE TO WARN ALL CAMRY DRIVERS TO BE AWARE THAT THEY COULD VERY WELL EXPERIENCE ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO SYMPTOMS AT ALL AND EVEN IF THEY REGULARLY MAINTAIN THEIR CAMRY. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE. MY CAMRY STILL LOOKS AND DID RUN LIKE NEW. *TR